Candidates should check the NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025 before applying. Candidates willing to get admission to the National Defense Academy (NDA) will have to appear for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) entrance exam to be held in New Delhi.
The authorities conduct exams twice a year, in April and September. All candidates are advised to check the given qualifications listed here. Below in this article, we have explained the NDA 2025 eligibility criteria in detail.
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025:
Supreme Court has allowed women aspirants to participate in the NDA Exams. Check other eligibility from below.
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NDA 2025 will be conducted for candidates across India who wish to join the Indian Defense Forces. Through NDA, candidates are recruited into the Air Force, Navy, and Army.
Interested candidates can fill the application form for NDA 2025 from December, 2023 (for NDA I) and May, 2025 (for NDA II).
Only those who fulfill the eligibility requirements are eligible to take the exam, so you should check your eligibility before applying. Check your eligibility here. The eligibility criteria for NDA 2025 are as follows:
Nationality:
- Candidates must be nationals of India, Nepal or Bhutan.
- Persons of Indian origin who migrated to India for permanent residence from Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam may also qualify for: can. Apply.
Candidates other than the citizen of India and Gorkha subjects of Nepal have required a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Age Limits, Gender & Marital Status:
- For NDA (1) 2025: The candidates whose DOB falls between 2nd July 2005 to 1st July 2008 are eligible for the examination. If born before 2nd July 2005 and after 1st July 2008 then not eligible for NDA (1) 2025 exam.
- For NDA (2) 2025: Those whose DOB falls between 2nd January 2006 to 1st January 2009 are permitted to write the exam. If the candidate bears the age before 2nd January 2006 and after 1st January 2009, they are not allowed to appear the exam.
- Only unmarried male & female candidates will be eligible for NDA examination.
Note-1: The date of birth mentioned in the available Matriculation Certificate or Higher Secondary Examination Certificate or equivalent will be considered by the Committee.
Note 2: Candidates are advised not to get married until they complete their education. Candidates who pass this exam or any subsequent exam but get married after the date of application will not be selected for training. A candidate who marries during training will be discharged from the military and must have all his expenses reimbursed by the government.
Qualification Criteria:
The minimum qualification required for Indian Army wing, Navy and Air Force is as follows:
Eligibility for Indian Army:
- The candidates want to apply for Indian Army must have completed 12th (10+2 pattern) or its equivalent exam from a well-recognized board.
- The appearing candidates can also apply.
Eligibility for Indian Navy and Air Force:
- Those seeking for Indian Navy and Air Force must have passed their 12th/appearing (10+2 pattern) from a recognized board or University with Physics and Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
Note: Students who have debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of Commission in the Defence Services are not eligible to apply. Those candidates have failed INSB/PABT earlier are not eligible for Air Force.
Physical Standards:
Candidates must be physically and mentally fit according to the physical standards of the 2025 National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examinations.
Candidates who have resigned or been discharged from the Army Training School for disciplinary reasons are not eligible to apply.
The detailed physical criteria are as follows:
Candidates are required rectify minor defects/ailments in order to speed up finalization of a medical examination conducted at the Military Hospital after being recommended at the SSB. Few of such commonly found defects/ailments are listed below:
- Wax (Ears).
- Deviated Nasal Septum.
- Hydrocele/Phimosis.
- Overweight/Underweight.
- Under Sized Chest.
- Piles.
- Tonsillitis.
- Gynaecomastia.
- Varicocele.
Body Tattoos:
Permanent body tattoos are only allowed on the inside of the forearm. Tattoos from the inside of the elbow to the wrist, on the back of the palm/back of the hand (back of the hand), or permanent tattoos on any other part of the body are not permitted.
Tribes who have tattoos on their faces or bodies in accordance with existing customs and traditions will be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
Comdt Selection Center is the body responsible for clarifying such cases.
Medical Examination for Female Candidates:
A detailed menstrual, gynecological, and obstetric medical history must be obtained from the candidate in the form of a questionnaire.
Candidates will undergo a detailed physical and systemic examination, which should only be performed by a doctor or gynecologist.
The examination should include the following tests:
- External genitalia.
- Hernial orifices and the perineum.
- Any evidence of stress urinary incontinence or genital prolapsed outside introitus.
- Evidence of lump breast and galactorrhoea.
No speculum or vaginal examination will be performed on all unmarried candidates.
All female candidates are required to undergo an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound during their initial medical examination.
Each abnormality of the external genitalia is considered on a case-by-case basis. Significant hirsutism especially with male pattern of hair growth along with radiological evidence of PCOS, will be a cause for rejection.
- Following conditions will entail female candidates being declared unfit:
- Primary or secondary amenorrhoea
- Severe Menorrhagia or/ and severe dysmenorrhea.
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Congenital elongation of cervix or prolapsed which comes outside the introitus even after corrective surgery.
- Pregnancy will be a cause of rejection for NDA entry.
- Complex ovarian cyst of any size.
- Simple ovarian cyst more than six cm.
- Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.
- Submucous fibroid of any size.
- Broad ligament or cervical fibroid of any size causing pressure over.
- Single fibroid uterus more than three cm in diameter; fibroids more than two in number (each fibroid not more than fifteen mm in diameter) or fibroid causing distortion of endometrial cavity.
- Congenital uterine anomalies except arcuate uterus.
- Acute or chronic pelvic infection.
- Disorders of sexual differentiation.
- Any other condition will be considered on merits of each case by the Gynaecologist.
- Following conditions will be declared as FIT:-
- Unilocular clear ovarian cyst up to six cm.
- Minimal fluid in pouch of Douglas.
- Medical fitness after laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy. Candidates reporting after undergoing cystectomy or myomectomy will be accepted as fit if she is asymptomatic, ultrasound pelvis is normal, histopathology of tissues removed is benign and per operative findings are not suggestive of endometriosis. Fitness will be considered twelve weeks after laparoscopic surgery and when the wound has healed fully. Candidate will be considered FIT after laprotomy one year after the surgical procedure.
Height & Weight Standards for Female Candidates:
|
Age (yrs) |
Minimum weight for all ages |
Age: 17 to 20 yrs |
Age: 20 +01 day-30 yrs |
Age : 30 + 01 Day- 40 yrs |
Age: Above 40 yrs |
|
Height (cm) |
Weight (Kg) |
Weight (Kg) |
Weight (Kg) |
Weight (Kg) |
Weight (Kg) |
|
140 |
35.3 |
43.1 |
45.1 |
47.0 |
49.0 |
|
141 |
35.8 |
43.7 |
45.7 |
47.7 |
49.7 |
|
142 |
36.3 |
44.4 |
46.4 |
48.4 |
50.4 |
|
143 |
36.8 |
45.0 |
47.0 |
49.1 |
51.1 |
|
144 |
37.3 |
45.6 |
47.7 |
49.8 |
51.8 |
|
145 |
37.8 |
46.3 |
48.4 |
50.5 |
52.6 |
|
146 |
38.4 |
46.9 |
49.0 |
51.2 |
53.3 |
|
147 |
38.9 |
47.5 |
49.7 |
51.9 |
54.0 |
|
148 |
39.4 |
48.2 |
50.4 |
52.6 |
54.8 |
|
149 |
40.0 |
48.8 |
51.1 |
53.3 |
55.5 |
|
150 |
40.5 |
49.5 |
51.8 |
54.0 |
56.3 |
|
151 |
41.0 |
50.2 |
52.4 |
54.7 |
57.0 |
|
152 |
41.6 |
50.8 |
53.1 |
55.4 |
57.8 |
|
153 |
42.1 |
51.5 |
53.8 |
56.2 |
58.5 |
|
154 |
42.7 |
52.2 |
54.5 |
56.9 |
59.3 |
|
155 |
43.2 |
52.9 |
55.3 |
57.7 |
60.1 |
|
156 |
43.8 |
53.5 |
56.0 |
58.4 |
60.8 |
|
157 |
44.4 |
54.2 |
56.7 |
59.2 |
61.6 |
|
158 |
44.9 |
54.9 |
57.4 |
59.9 |
62.4 |
|
159 |
45.5 |
55.6 |
58.1 |
60.7 |
63.2 |
|
160 |
46.1 |
56.3 |
58.9 |
61.4 |
64.0 |
|
161 |
46.7 |
57.0 |
59.6 |
62.2 |
64.8 |
|
162 |
47.2 |
57.7 |
60.4 |
63.0 |
65.6 |
|
163 |
47.8 |
58.5 |
61.1 |
63.8 |
66.4 |
Note: The minimum height required for female candidates to join the military is 152 cm. Candidates from the Gorkha tribe and the hill regions of north-eastern India, Garhwal and Kumaon, are accepted as long as they are at least 148 cm tall. If a candidate is under 18 years of age at the time of the exam, her height will be taken into account by 02 cm. Flying Branch’s minimum height is her 163 cm. Flying Branch also requires other anthropometric criteria such as seat height, leg length, and thigh length.
Height & Weight Standards for Male Candidates:
- The minimum height measurement is 157 cms (162.5 cms. for Air Force).
- For Gorkhas and individuals belonging to hills of North-Eastern areas of India, Garhwal, and Kumaon, the minimum heights will be 5 cms. less.
- In case of candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height can be reduced by 2 cms.
- The detailed height/weight standards are mentioned below:
Height/Weight Standards for Army/Air Force:
| Height (cms) | Weight in Kgs | ||
| (without shoe) | 16-17 years | 17-18 years | 18-19 years |
| 152 | 42.5 | 44.0 | 45.0 |
| 155 | 43.5 | 45.3 | 47.0 |
| 157 | 45.0 | 47.0 | 48.0 |
| 160 | 46.5 | 48.0 | 49.0 |
| 162 | 48.0 | 50.0 | 51.0 |
| 165 | 50.0 | 52.0 | 53.0 |
| 167 | 51.0 | 53.0 | 54.0 |
| 170 | 52.5 | 55.0 | 56.0 |
| 173 | 54.5 | 57.0 | 58.0 |
| 175 | 56.0 | 59.0 | 60.0 |
| 178 | 58.0 | 61.0 | 62.0 |
| 180 | 60.0 | 63.0 | 64.5 |
| 183 | 62.5 | 65.0 | 66.5 |
Height/Weight Standards for Navy:
| Height (cms) | Weight in Kgs | ||
| (without shoe) | 16 years | 18 years | 20 years |
| 152 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| 155 | 45 | 46 | 47 |
| 157 | 46 | 47 | 49 |
| 160 | 47 | 48 | 50 |
| 162 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
| 165 | 50 | 52 | 53 |
| 168 | 52 | 53 | 55 |
| 170 | 53 | 55 | 57 |
| 173 | 55 | 57 | 59 |
| 175 | 57 | 59 | 61 |
| 178 | 59 | 61 | 62 |
| 180 | 61 | 63 | 64 |
| 183 | 63 | 65 | 67 |
There will be some extra physical requirements as a pilot in the Air Force. The acceptable length is as follows:
| Minimum | Maximum | |
| Leg Length | 99.00 cms | 120.00 cms |
| Thigh Length | – | 64.00 cms |
| Sitting Height | 81.50 cms | 96.00 cms |
Other Physical Standards
Candidates recommended by the Service Selection Board will undergo a medical examination by the Medical Officer of the Service Commission. Candidates declared eligible by the Medical Board will be admitted to the Academy.
Candidates must be in good physical and mental condition and free from any kind of illness or disability that may affect the efficient performance of military service.
There should be no symptoms of weakness, physical defects, or underweight. Candidates must not be overweight or obese.
Well-developed chest. Fully expanded chest must be over 32 inches (81 cm). The minimum range of expansion after full inspiration should be 5 cm. A chest X-ray is mandatory and is done to exclude chest diseases.
There are no developmental abnormalities or disorders in bone or joint function.
There is no history of mental breakdown or seizures.
Hearing should be normal. Candidates must be able to hear a forced whisper in both ears at a distance of 240 inches. In a quiet room. There should be no evidence of current or past ear, nose, or throat disease. Hearing tests are done for atrial fibrillation. Audiometric hearing loss should not exceed 20 dB in the frequency range 250-8000 Hz. There is no language barrier. Blood pressure should be normal and there should be no signs of functional or organic disease of the heart or blood vessels.
There should be no enlargement of the liver or spleen. There is no evidence of abdominal visceral disease.
Failure to operate on the hernia will render the candidate ineligible. If you have had inguinal hernia surgery, at least 6 months must have elapsed before your final consultation before starting your course. There are no hydroceles, varicoceles, or hemorrhoids.
A urine test will be conducted, and if any abnormalities are found, the applicant will be disqualified.
Any type of skin disease that can cause disability or deterioration of appearance is also a reason for rejection.
USG abdominal examination is performed and any congenital structural abnormalities or diseases of the abdominal organs are grounds for refusal in the military.
Candidates must have a sufficient number of natural, healthy teeth. At least 14 dental points are accepted. If there are 32 teeth, the total number of tooth points is 22. Candidates must not have severe alveolar pyorrhea.
Air Force applicants’ routine electrocardiograms must be within normal limits.
Spinal Condition:
A history of disease or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints that prevents the candidate from leading a physically active life, with or without objective signs, is grounds for refusal of admission to the IAF. A history of vertebral fractures/herniated discs and surgical treatment of these conditions can lead to rejection. Air Force candidates will be disqualified if the following symptoms are detected on radiological examination during medical examination:
- Granulomatous disease of spine
- Arthritidies/spondylosis (Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders/ Ankylosing spondylitis/ Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis and degenerative joint disease/ Non articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago etc.) & Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, polymyositis, vasculitis.
- Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis.
- Compression fracture of vertebrae.
- Scheuerman’s disease (Adolescent kyphosis)
- Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of cervical spine.
- Unilateral/Bilateral cervical ribs with demon strable neurological or circulatory deficit.
- Scoliosis more than 15 degree as measured by Cobb’s method.
- Degenerative Disc. Disease.
- Presence of schmorl’s nodes at more than one level.
- Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial anomalies.
- Hemi vertebrae and/or incomplete block (fused) vertebrae at any level in cervical, dorsal or lumbar spine and complete block (fused) vertebrae at more than one level in cervical or dorsal spine.
- Unilateral Sacralisation or lumbarisation (Complete or incomplete) at all levels and bilateral incomplete sacralisation or lumbarisation.
- Any other abnormality if so considered by the specialist.
X-Ray Examination
Any of the following conditions detected at the time of X-Ray examination will be disqualified for Armed Forces:
- Granulomatius disease of spine.
- Arthritidies/spondylosis
- Scoliosis more than 15 degree as measured by Cobb’s Method (10 degree for Army and Navy).
- More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis
- Spondylolisthesis/Spondylosis/Spondylolysis
- Herniated nucleus pulposes.
- Compression fracture of Vertebra.
- Sacaralisation Disease
- Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit.
- Presence of Schmorl’s node at more than one level.
- Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies.
- Incomplete Sacaralisation Unilateral or Bilateral
- Spina Bifida other than SV 1 and LV 5 if completely Sacralised
- Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist
Visual Standards:
Distance vision (corrected) should be 6/6 in the better eye (6/9 in the worse eye). Myopia must be 2.5 D or less, including astigmatism, and hyperopia must be 3.5 D or less. An internal examination of the eyes is performed using an ophthalmoscope to rule out eye diseases. Candidates must have good binocular vision. The Army’s color vision standard is (CP-III).
Eyesight Eligibility for Naval Candidates:
| Uncorrected without glass | 6/6 |
| Corrected with glass | 6/6 |
| Limits of Myopia | -0.75 |
| Limits of Hypermetropia | +1.5 |
| Limits of Colour Perception | I |
| Binocular Vision | III |
Eyesight Eligibility for Air Force Candidates:
| Uncorrected without glass | 6/6, 6/9 |
| Corrected with glass | 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia) |
| Limits of Myopia | Nil |
| Limits of Hypermetropia | +2.00 D Sph |
| Manifest Myopia | Nil Re |
| Tinoscopic Myopia | 0.5 |
| Colour Vision | CP-I (MLT) |
| Astigmatism | +0.75 Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) |
| Near Vision | N-5 each eye |
Maddox Rod Test
The details of Maddox Rot Test are as the following:
| At 6 meters | Exo-6 prism D |
| Eso-6 prism D | |
| Hyper-1 prism D | |
| Hypro-1 prism D | |
| At 33 cms | Exo-16 prism D |
| Eso-6 prism D | |
| Hyper-1 prism D | |
| Hypo-1 prism D |
Physical Conditioning
Candidates are suggested to keep themselves in a good physical condition, by following the routine given below:
- Running 2.4 km in 15 minutes
- Skipping
- Pushups and sit ups (minimum 20 each)
- Chin ups (minimum 08)
- Rope climbing 3-4 metres.